By Augustine Aminu
Enoch Ogunnowo has been honored at the 9th Nigeria Technology Awards (NiTA) as the “Most Innovative Product Systems Design Engineer of the Year,” a national recognition that showcases achievements of individuals making significant impact in their fields. The award highlights his work in product systems design, thermofluid systems, and reliability-focused engineering, and it adds to his many research contributions and professional honors that show long-term success at a high level in his field.
Enoch has built his career through roles at different organizations where he works on engines, HVAC equipment, and manufacturing systems, using tools like CFD and FEA to make machines run more efficiently and reliably. His projects include improving engine oil flow to extend oil drain intervals, creating detailed 3D models that reduce design errors, and ensuring that products meet strict standards for safety, energy use, and performance. Fellow engineer Emeka Onyeka explains that Enoch is often the person other engineers rely on when a design problem is very complex, noting that his strength is his ability to turn difficult engineering theory into clear, working solutions that help companies avoid failures and meet tough regulations.
NiTA is an organization in Nigeria that celebrates technology professionals with STEM backgrounds, companies, and innovators whose work supports economic growth through the smart use of technology. It has recognized more than a thousand individuals and organizations over the years, and organizers describe it as a trusted and respected award in the Nigerian technology space, which is important when showing that Enoch’s prize is selective and meaningful at a national level. The nomination and screening process is overseen by a judging panel and advisory board, and the winners receive their trophies and certificates at a formal ceremony, which emphasizes that this is a competitive and merit-based honor.
Engineer and research partner Ayo Akinsanya says that what sets Enoch apart is not just his technical projects but the breadth of his contributions across research, peer review, and editorial work. He points to Enoch’s roles as a reviewer and section editor for several engineering and multidisciplinary journals as proof that other experts trust his judgment and rely on him to maintain high standards in mechanical engineering and product design research.
Akinsanya sees the NiTA award as a natural result of this broader leadership, arguing that Enoch’s frameworks for topics such as digital twins, non-destructive testing, and reliability-centered design are helping both universities and industry teams think in more systematic ways about safety, efficiency, and long-term performance.
Enoch describes the recognition as both an honor and a responsibility and says the award confirms that the years he has spent combining mechanical design, thermofluid simulation, and data-driven methods are making a real difference, especially for industries in Nigeria and the U.S.A that need reliable and efficient systems. He also notes that he sees the award as a call to keep pushing for solutions that improve energy use, reduce failures in critical infrastructure, and give young engineers a clear example of what careful, science-based engineering can achieve.
